If you see flashing lights, get out of the way

What should I do when a responding emergency vehicle approaches? Eric Lai replies:

Under S. 159 HTA, when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren activated, all drivers should immediately pull right as far as possible and stop clear of any intersection.

Common sense also comes into play. For example, a driver ahead once pulled right and stopped, but wouldn’t move forward enough so I could do likewise, thereby leaving me cockeyed between lanes.

In another instance, stopped traffic remained frozen after a red light turned green, thereby stonewalling a responding ambulance trapped in their midst.

By law, traffic ahead of the ambulance and not in the curb lane should have proceeded through the intersection on the green light, then pulled right and stopped.

On a one-way road or divided highway, the law requires drivers to pull to the nearest curb — left or right — and stop.

If you see the emergency vehicle moving freely up the vacant shoulder, common sense says just stay out of its way.

In 2013, I purchased a used 2010 Toyota Sienna AWD with new tires, from a Toyota dealer. After two years, all tires have gradually worn at the inner edges, suggesting an alignment problem existed before purchase. Melanie Testani, public relations manager for Toyota Canada, replies:

We contacted both the dealership and the customer about this matter.

At the most recent visit in July, the dealership determined the rear was indeed out of alignment. This wasn’t due to a manufacturing defect.

The dealership waived the cost of two prior alignments and a shim installation was recommended.

The customer purchased new tires, so a proper alignment could be done.

We hope this customer is reassured regarding the tires and alignment. Eric Lai adds:

In general, alignment issues can arise at any time due to collision, pothole or curb impact.

Service Ontario issued my plate sticker without ever asking if the required emission test was done. What gives? Eric Lai replies:

The licence office already knew, via computer, that your emission test was done. They’d only ask for your test info online or to see a pass certificate in person, if their Drive Clean database link was temporarily down when you were trying to renew. Freelance writer Eric Lai is a regular contributor to Toronto Star Wheels. Email your non-mechanical questions to him at wheels@thestar.ca. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.